Not all cars come with spare tires and in the event of getting a flat tire, particularly at odd places and times, the services of a tow truck may be a little too expensive which is something akin to a dilemma indeed.
Certainly, considering the unfriendly odds stacked against you, a quick tire puncture sealant may be your best option.
However, it is logical to ask whether a tire sealant can mend all sorts of tire blowouts, and if not, then what types does it repair?
So, can I use fix a flat for a slow leak? Well, Yes. The Fix a Flat sealant is meant to mend small punctures in tires that leak air slowly when nails or other sharp objects pierce them.
These quick-sealing chemicals are used only as temporary solutions that will enable you to drive the vehicle long enough to get to tire repair specialists for more permanent solutions.
However, you be should be mindful of some disadvantages associated with fix a flat tire puncture sealants.
For instance, these sealing chemicals release gas into your tire along with a goo which may be difficult to remove even by tire specialists during repair work. This goo can also damage a tire beyond any repair.
The fix a flat sealant is said to be very unsuitable for cold regions because it can easily get frozen and defrosting it is a difficult adventure.
To worsen matters, the frozen fix a flat sealant is quite capable of knocking your wheel out of balance. It is also worthy of mention that there are cars that are provided with what is called a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS ).
Read Also: How Do You Use The Acura Flat Tire Repair Kit?
This feature in some vehicle tires will alert you whenever there is any leak in your tire. Tire sealants however are capable of clogging the TPMS by ruining its sensor.
Finally, you should also know that fix flat sealants are not recommended for use in motorcycle tires since they are meant for use only with tubeless tires of trucks and cars.
All these issues must be given due consideration before using the fix a flat sealant.
Is It Safe To Drive On A Tire With A Slow Leak?
It is really not advisable to drive on any tire that has got a slow leak since doing that may worsen the leakage to a complete puncture and a flat tire. This must be avoided because a flat tire is a blowout hazard.
We all dread tire blowouts because they can make the vehicle lose control and veer off the road thereby putting your life and the lives of other road users in danger too. (Read Also:Do You Put Chains On Trailer Tires?)
If you notice that your vehicle tire is gradually deflating or that you have to repeatedly top-up to maintain tire pressure, you may be dealing with a slow leak. Please seek the help of a specialist in tires.
Quick ways of finding out whether you have a leaking tire are:
By listening to the sound of pressurized air escaping, gently running your hand across the tire to feel the air escaping, and noticing any abnormal temperature rise in the tire since depressurized tires are bound to have a temperature surge which you are bound to feel too.
These are very advisable skills since you can’t solve any problem without first identifying it, right?
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Will Tire Slime Fix A Slow Leak?
Slime tire sealants are known to both prevent and also repair flat tires instantly, but do they really fix a slow leak? Yes, they fix a slow leak by coating the inside of the tire or tube at the point of tear.
They may however end up corroding the wheels and in addition, the solution they provide to punctures is only temporary at best.
Does Fix A Flat Ruin Your Tire?
The most appropriate answer to this question is a non-committal ‘yes’ and ‘no’ at the same time, to be candid with you.
It is not, they do not ruin tires when you need its services to get you (and your car too) away from a potentially dangerous neighborhood or even a bush. In this situation, fix a flat is not bad or does not ruin tires at all because there is an emergency situation at hand.
However, the answer is a ‘yes if you take into account the irreversible damage they do to car tires which may even lead to their total condemnation.
In addition, fix a flat sealant can in some instances lead to the damage of even the wheels of your car, and are they also indicted in obstructing the pressure monitoring system(PMS) of vehicles? So, there you are on whether fix flat sealants ruin tires or not.
To be on the safe side because of their damaging effects on tires, use them only in extreme emergency situations.(Read Also: Can A Cracked Rim Be Welded?)
How to Use Fix a Flat For Slow Leak
You already know it’s possible to fix a slow leak using a fix a flat. But how exactly do you use fix a flat for a slow leak?
This next section, we’ll cover how to best use a fix a flat for slow leak.
Step 1: Get the correct fix a flat for your tire
Make sure you are using the correct fix a flat tire depending on our tire size. Here are some of the best fix a flat tire you could go for (Amazon)
Step 2: Rotate the puncture to 6 o’clock position
You should also get the valve at the same position if possible depending on where exactly the slow leak is coming from.
Step 3: Shake the fix a flat vigorously for about 30 seconds
You should shake the can vigorously for about 30 sec to allow everything to mix accordingly before being used.
Bonus tip: Depending on your tire situation, you may want to release some more air from the tire to allow for the entire Fix a flat content to get into the affected tire.
Step 4: Tightly twist the hose onto the tire valve stem
Gently connect the fix a flat hose to your tire valve stem and make sure it’s tightly secured. You should then proceed to remove the safety clip.
Step 5: Hold the can upright and press the yellow button down.
Ensure the can is held upright and press the yellow button to dispense the fix a flat fluid. DO NOT SHAKE the can at this stage.
Step 6: Depress the button and hold until the sealant stops flowing
Ensure you dispense every bit of the fix a flat content into the affected tire. You should be able to see that tire rise slightly due to the additional content added to the tire. Once all is done, take off the hose quickly to prevent it from splashing due to existing tire pressure.
Step 7: Make sure tire rim is lifted off the ground.
You’ll want to ensure the tire rim is lifted off the ground before adding pressure using an air compressor. This will allow the fix a flat circulate throughout the tires before filling the air as per your tire manufacturer’s recommendation.
Step 8: Drive the car for about 2 – 4 miles
Take your car for a drive of about 2-4 miles. Make sure to drive slowly as you still have a flat tire and wouldn’t want to drive that fast.
Step 9: Top up with more air pressure
Ensure to add air pressure as per your manufacturer’s recommendations. You’ll want to do this immediately after the drive to prevent it from drying inside your tire.
The above steps covers the best way to use fix a flat for slow leaks. Make sure to follow the steps to the latter.
How Long Can You Drive On A Tire With Fix A Flat?
As a general rule, use fix a flat on tires for as long as it will take for you to get to the nearest tire repair shop or for as long as it takes for you to get yourself (and your vehicle) out of harm’s way.
To give this a time frame, let us consider that the nearest tire workshop is a few meters away from where you are, then it means that you should not drive a car to fix a flat tire for more than a couple of minutes if you wish to both save your tire and the wheel too.
The manufacturers of the product talk of using fix a flat for up to three days or driving a distance of at most one hundred miles, but the most ideal thing is to use it for as short a period as possible.
Will Fix A Flat Fix A Nail Hole?
Yes, fixing a flat sealant can mend nail holes in tires, but this depends on the nature, size, and position of the openings.
For instance, any nail hole that is more than one-quarter of an inch wide cannot be sealed with fix a flat. Secondly, fix a flat do not close holes that are located on the sidewall of a tire and you equally cannot use fix a flat to mend the point on a tire that has been repaired previously.(Read Also: Will Tire Chains Damage Driveway?Find Out)
What Are Some Of The Best Tire Sealants (Slow tire leak sealant)?
There is a wide range of tire sealants to select from in the market, each with its special features in attempts to outperform competing products. We shall now endeavor to regale you on some of the best among them.
1. No Tubes Stan’s Tire Sealant
This special formula is known to work for all kinds of tires and is available in sixteen and thirty-two-ounce containers and it is packaged to allow the formula to stay liquid for between two to seven months.
It is so compact and hence can be stored in vehicle trunks and not much force is required to apply it through the valve of any tire. It can work admirably in even very cold temperatures and seals hole up to one-quarter of an inch wide.
2. Slime Tire Sealant
Slime tire sealant comes in convenient packages for easy storage and it fixes tire holes in mere seconds after application. Its vivid and unique color improves its visibility.
The product is available in smaller quantities too which makes it suitable for bikers as well and is produced with non-toxic chemicals that are suitable for sealing tire holes up to three millimeters wide.
3. Berryman 1316 Seal R Tire Sealing Compound
It is easy to apply and is also useful on all types of wheels. This sealant is made using environmentally friendly and biodegradable compounds which makes it safe to use on all kinds of tires.
4. Fix A Flat S60430 Tire Inflator
Has about the simplest applications compared to all others and it is supplied with an applicator that allows punctures to be dealt with on the spot without any need to jack up the vehicle.
The formulation of the sealant is such that it will not damage tires or the rims and can be suitable for driving up to a distance of about one hundred miles after application without any fear.
5. Gempler’s Ultraseak Extreme Heavy Duty Grade Tire Sealant
Gemper’s sealant is said to permanently close tire holes in even heavy cars, trucks, and other vehicles. It is known for its long life span and can take care of even very large punctures.
This sealant comes with an applicator tool and a tire pump. It is usable in extremely cold climes and seals tire holes up to about half an inch in size.(Read Also: Can I Put A Tubeless Tire On A Tube Rim?Find Out)
6. Slime 70005 Safety Spair 7 Minute Flat Tire System
See Customer’s Reviews On Amazon
The product is not only an inflator but a pump too which makes it excellent where you need to both seal and inflate. Storage is easy due to its compact packaging.(Read Also: Can You Still Ride A Bike With A Broken Spoke?)
7. Plus Tire Tire Sealant
It comes in 350-millimetre bottles and has a small hose for connection to the tire valve. The compact casing makes storage simple. It is compatible with nitrogen and is made of water-soluble chemicals.
8. Tire Life PSF Plus Puncture Sealing Formula
This is one sealant that is made for both high and low speeds; the PSF is made for low speeds while the PSF Plus Formula for high speeds. It seals tire holes in a matter of minutes after use.
9. LiquiTube Tire Sealant
It also seals holes in the rim and tire beads too and has a very long life span. The product is known to seal tire holes permanently and is effective with even multiple punctures without affecting the rubber of the tire.
10. Multi Seal Tire Sealant with Kev
Made with Kevler’s fibers that are known for extra strength and use no latex. It can seal punctures half an inch wide instantly as well.(Read Also: Will Water In A Tire Evaporate?Find Out Now)
How Do You Fix A Slime Tire?
In fixing a slime tire, you should first, position the valve core in the upper half of the tire before slowly removing the valve core with a tool cap. Afterward, allow the tire to fully deflate before attaching the hose and squeezing in the slime.
You can then replace the valve core and you are done. To determine exactly how much slime you should let into the tire, refer to the chart at the back of the slime container or alternatively, use a slime calculator.(Read Also:Can Air Compressor Tanks Be welded?)
Now is the most appropriate time to introduce to you other equally reliable products of fix a flat that will come in handy whenever you find yourself in any situation of need to hastily fix your tire.
1. Slime 1000932 Ounce Automotive Accessories
See Customer’s Reviews On Amazon
This slime sealant fixes punctures in no time and is produced with environmentally friendly chemicals that do not constitute any risk to your health. The product is also compact to make for easy storage in the trunk of your car.
2. No Tube Tire Sealant 16- Ounce
The product is easy to apply and lasts long enough to allow you comfortably arrange for the help of tire experts and what is more, it seals tire punctures of even considerable sizes in a matter of minutes. It is neither harmful nor flammable which makes it safe with little or no harm to your tire or rim.
3. Fix a Flat Aerosol Tire Inflator With Hose
This sealant both seals and inflates punctured tyres on the spot. It is also harmless and environment friendly with no risk whatsoever to the rubber fabric of your tyre.
4. Liquid Tube Tyre Sealant 32 oz
Like its competitors, it fixes tyres in mere minutes and is harmless to both the environment and people. It is convenient for virtually all manner of tires and is compact to make for easy storage in vehicle trunks.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Will fix a flat fix a slow leak
Yes, fix a flat will fix a slow leak. It’s important to ensure you follow the correct steps to ensure the fix a flat works perfectly.
Does fix a flat work on slow leaks
Yes, fix a flat works on slow leaks. It works by loading the fix a flat content onto your tires and works best for small punctures.
Fix flat for a slow leak
You can definitely fix a slow leak with a fix a flat. Fix a flat works by blocking the affected area with its content preventing any further air loss on the affected tire.
Is fix a flat good for slow leaks
So, can fix a flat fix a slow leak? Yes, fix a flat is good for slow leaks. It can fix the affected area by blocking any further air loss from the affected area. You should always aim to implement the fix a flat properly (see steps above).
Can I Use Fix A Flat For A Slow Leak – Conclusion
Nothing pleases in moments of severe distress, such as when you get a flat tire at an odd place and time. like having the means to instantly seal the puncture and move out of harm’s way in minutes.
Tire sealants give you that and even more, since some of them both seal and inflate tires too! This is certainly the product of in-depth and concerted research work.
You should always aim to implement the fix a flat sealant the right way for it to work properly on the affected tires.
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I am passionate about all things automotive and have a deep understanding of the topic. As a mechanic, I use my free time to share knowledge of everyday challenges that any car owner can experience – helping you make informed decisions about tires.